(ThyBlackMan.com) It’s tough to stick to a healthy eating plan when those around you are indulging. It’s even tougher when they’re bent on making sure you indulge, too. But don’t stress it. These eight tricks will help you stay on track without alienating the not-so-healthy eaters in your life. Who knows, you may even inspire them to join your cause.
1. Trade a slice for a bite.
Indulgence loves company, so count on a guilt trip if you pass on a temptation your friends gave in to. Make it easy on yourself, then: Pick up your fork and have a small piece of whatever is being served.
If you say, “I’m stuffed, but this looks so delicious I can’t pass up a bite,” you’ll avoid peer pressure by turning the situation around—you’re 
indulging, not depriving yourself. And you won’t make your friends feel bad by rebuffing their generosity. Besides, one bite of dessert won’t make a dent in your diet.
2. Create a diversion. Can’t enjoy a bite without whetting your appetite for the whole cake? You needn’t explain why you’re skipping dessert—just divert attention from your pass. As the serving dish goes around, strike up an amusing conversation or excuse yourself to make a phone call. Better yet, bring along a bag of almonds and say you’re craving a handful of those instead. Again, you’ll put others at ease by having a treat along with them.
By creating a distraction, you’ll fare better, too: According to 2005 University of Toronto study, making a fuss over food restraint often intensifies cravings, which can lead to overeating.
3. Help yourself. You can always stick to your healthy eating series while having what others have simply set your portions. Fill half your plate with fruits or vegetables, one quarter of meat or protein, and a quarter with starches such as potatoes or bread. Bonus if you can exchange for starchy foods whole grain pasta, rice or bread.
If you can not prepare your own plate, there is nothing wrong with asking the server for small portions. Ultimately, however, it might be better to stray from your diet once to offend the host by eating nothing more than a turkey dry shave and a spoonful of peas.
4. Watch your pace.
In group settings, it is easy to get caught up in a frenzy of eating, others unconsciously corresponding plate-to-plate. You can prevent stuff by completing a little ahead, “said trainer Mark Verstegen, director of performance for the Association of NFL players and founder of Core Performance. “Make sure you get hydrated and a small snack like a handful of almonds or a banana with peanut butter, so you are not [that] hunger,” he said.
Watch out for drinks, too. Cocktails can pack up to 500 calories per glass, “says Verstegen. At the bar, drinking slowly or between other beverages high in calories and water. If your friends catch you empty-handed when they drink, they will probably for another round.
5. Praise healthy dishes.
You may think you are a guest polite by saying you wish you could have some of that creamy artichoke dip. But it is better to leave food sabotaging the conversation. It can make the cook feel poorly prepared food for her guests can not eat. Instead, your attention turns to the fresh fruit salad or presentation of a dish low in fat.
By treating healthier items such as indulgences, the host may be more likely to impose them or you unless you let it slip away when it’s time for dessert.
6. Share your feed details respectfully.
It feels good from the start to eat more healthily and naturally you want to share with others. But if your friends are not able to evaluate their eating habits, causing them to avoid foods loaded with fat, salt and sugar might feel like an ambush. Blithely waving away food with a “I do not eat that garbage,” or “Do you know what’s in it?” might actually increase its efforts to influence you.
If you do not want to be harassed about your food choices, do not put your friends there either. Wait until they express an interest in your diet. Then humbly share the details.
7. An activity schedule.
Do not let food be the centerpiece of a social gathering. Meetings are often focused on food, and if you’re distracted, nervous, or just bask in how much you enjoy yourself, you probably won.
Taking a walk after dinner is good way to divert attention from the table. And you can bypass the dessert dilemma altogether.
8. Prepare to be firm.
If you are used to sell when the pressure exerted by friends, make sure you do not send mixed messages. Come prepared with a game plan that sets in your mind what you eat and how you will respond to temptation. In this way, they will not interpret your hesitation as a benchmark to push the chips and dip your way.
It is also helpful to guard against saboteurs common, including sleep deprivation, stress, and the proximity of unhealthy food options.
Written By Brittany Gatson
